Title: Navigating the difficult: teaching for sustainability, activism, and the recognition of modern slavery

Authors: Arlene Plevin

Addresses: Olympic College, 1600 Chester Ave., Bremerton, WA 98337, USA

Abstract: As a goal, sustainability can sometimes be aligned with economic models and seldom considered in terms of all of its components, including modern slavery. This paper argues that just and flourishing sustainability, that which is for the good of all, incorporates knowledge of modern slavery, the often invisible and unacknowledged abuse of people involved in the production of products and services. The paper encourages teachers to consider the reality of modern slavery and to teach for that, noting that it is an ethical and moral position and essential to just sustainability. Examining some of the challenges of teaching for modern slavery, the paper works with concepts of activism and hope and offers examples of classroom approaches that can enable students to consider and work with modern slavery on behalf of those who are enslaved.

Keywords: activism; diversity; hope; human trafficking; modern slavery; pedagogy of restoration; sustainability; pedagogy for activism.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2017.088772

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2017 Vol.18 No.3/4, pp.238 - 262

Received: 23 Nov 2016
Accepted: 19 Jul 2017
Published online: 17 Dec 2017 *

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